Best Drones to Buy in 2019

Not only can you use them to perform ultra-cool stunts when flying, but you can also level up with breathtaking aerial photography or cinematography. But how do you know what the best drones to consider are?

After hours of analysis, we are proud to present your ultimate guide for finding the best drones in 2019.

Our list ranges from the best drones under 100 dollars for easing into the craft, to top-of-the-line professional drones for expanding your career.

Brief Glossary of Frequent Terms

There are several acronyms that often pop up when researching the best drones.

For those who are new to the field, here are some of the most common ones and what they stand for.

10. Parrot Airborne Cargo MiniDrone Travis – Best Mini Drone

We’ll kick off our list with the best mini drone with camera this year, the Travis model crafted by Parrot.

This little guy is a dream come true for kids (and the big kids that we adults prove to be), with just 7.3 x 7.1 x 1.6 in dimensions.

There are plenty of cool features that recommend it for its best micro drone status.

From its nifty built-in camera to its numerous custom options and label as the smallest drone on our list, the Parrot Airborne Cargo MiniDrone Travis is awesome for getting creative with acrobatics. With just a tap, you can switch from 90 to 180 degrees, and continue swiveling to 360.

In addition, it doubles as one of the best drones under 200 dollars available.

Actually, it is currently on sale for just a few bucks above $100 on Amazon.

9. 3DR Solo – Best Drone for GoPro

If you’re not yet familiar with the world of drones, you should know that the GoPro is hands down the best camera for drone use. So don’t go using your digital camera for this.

But once you get your best drone camera all bought and settled, what drone should you choose for it?

We whole-heartedly recommend the 3DR Solo as one of the best drones for GoPro that money can buy. In fact, this 3DR model was designed specifically for GoPro HERO, “from the ground up”, as the manufacturer describes.

If you order the 3DR Solo on Amazon, you get an amazing deal that significantly cuts costs.

In the end, you can get it for as little as about $375 new or $270 used (like new).

Batteries serve as an essential aspect regarding best drones, so you might want to throw in the 3DR Solo Smart Battery in your cart before checkout.

Main Features

“The World’s Frist Smart Drone”, as advertised by 3DR

Pushbutton flight feature

Smart Shots through 2 computers (1 GHz each)

Wireless HD video streaming on your smartphone or tablet

User-friendly video game-like controller, making it also one of the best RC drones

Design & Usability

One of the top design features that the 3DR Solo boasts is the uber cool controller, highly similar to a video game controller.

8. Parrot BeBop 2 – Best FPV Drone for Travelers

We’re delighted that we have pinpointed a UAV that’s not only a state-of-the-art FPV drone but also one of the best drones to buy for traveling. The Parrot BeBop 2 has pocket-sized dimensions, at just 3.5 x 12.9 x 12.9 inches. As a result, it’s a highly portable drone that you can easily carry with you while visiting the world. It’s also one of the best drones with camera integration, as you’ll soon find out. At the time we were writing this review, the Parrot BeBop 2 was approximately $370 on Amazon.

7. Hubsan X4 H107L – Best Recreational Drone

If you want to buy a drone as a toy, rather than a hi-tech aerial photography accessory, the Hubsan X4 H107L is for you. It’s both the best recreational drone and overall best consumer drone on our list. As if that wasn’t enough, you also get free domestic shipping. The Hubsan H107L is the upgraded alternative for the H107, now with LED for a visually pleasing experience.

This is easily the best personal drone if you want to make a kid happy, controlling a cool gadget indoors.

However, don’t expect it to work wonders for any other purpose than playing.

This is specifically why we labeled it as the best recreational drone, especially for parents looking for original gift ideas for their children.

At around $35 on Amazon, it’s clearly one of the best drones under 100 dollars you can get.

Main Features

LED features for boosted visual fun

2 flying modes for beginners (Normal) and experienced users (Expert)

Flight control system with 6 axes

Easy-to-use remote control for children

Extensive in-box accessories:

4 GHz LCD transmitter

Battery (3.7v 240 mah)

Spare blades (white and blue, 2 each)

Protection guard for blades

Hubsan wrench

Charger (USB)

Design & Usability

The Hubsan H107L is huge eye candy for kids, designed in royal blue and with bi-color blades.

It’s a neat little toy that any youngster will enjoy, also thanks to the cool-looking remote control.

It has pocket-sized dimensions (3″ x 3″ x 1″) and barely weighs more than a pound.

These smart specs help you keep it in the sky with ease, as opposed to other heavier models.

Furthermore, it’s one of the best drones for beginners of all ages.

If you’re just getting started, you can explore the Normal mode until you sharpen your flying skills.

After that, the Expert mode will help you take things to the next level (literally).

You can use the sticks to experiment with flips and other stunts that will provide hours of fun family time.

Quality & Performance

From a quality point of view, you honestly can’t expect a $35 product to be top of its class.

Nevertheless, you get amazing value with the Hubsan H107L, even if it’s highly affordable.

The drone is surprisingly durable for its tiny price tag, particularly owing to the blade guards.

In a nutshell, it’s the perfect drone to start learning how to fly.

Although the flight time is indeed very limited (up to 8 minutes), the batteries are removableand inexpensive.

In other words, you can have two or three extra batteries at hand and quickly switch them when your flying time is up.

This is a major advantage compared to other models with built-in batteries.

6. VOOCO X-Star Premium – Best Commercial Drone

If you plan on using your drone for professional purposes, you can count on the X-Star Premium designed by Autel Robotics. This baby comes packed with 4K Ultra HD filming, an outstanding feature for ambitious video projects of all kinds, from commercials to music videos and more. To help you get a better idea, it has a whopping 4.7-star customer average rating on Amazon to prove its quality.

Believe it or not, you can enjoy the top quality of this professional drone for just about $700 (used but in a very good state) on Amazon.

The fact that you can use one of these drones for jobs for such a low price makes it a serious competitor for the best drone under 1000 dollars prize.

If you want a brand new one, you’ll be paying something in the $1,500 range.

In any case, it’s easily the best value drone for the flying time, as you’ll soon find out below.

Main Features

4K Camera for ultra HD shots

3-axis removable gimbal for super smooth shots

25-minute flight time

Smart-flight features including Orbit, Follow or Waypoints

Free Starlink app for getting a live video stream in HD on your smartphone or tablet

Design & Usability

The X-Star Premium is a beautiful UAV, from all points of view.

Not only is it nicely designed in bright orange, but you can also get an alternative in white if you’re looking for subtlety.

The remote controller used for operating the drone is highly intuitive, with buttons that require just one touch for actions.

The case is also premium, with features like being zippered, slightly hard and splash-proof.

Using the X-Star Premium is a breeze, even for the most inexperienced fliers.

Taking off and landing are extremely easy to perform, although some users pointed out potential instability issues.

This should be the least of your worries, as the acclaimed customer support team from VOOCO is committed to improving every product.

Quality & Performance

When you’re dealing with a 4K HD video feature, you can only imagine how stunning your aerial photos (12MP) and films (up to 1080p120) turn out.

Even more so, both the gimbal and the camera can be removed with ease if you ever want to upgrade your accessories without replacing the drone.

Its high quality and low price for the technology make it a strong competitor for other renowned brands in the field.

It just may be the best drone for photography for you.

One of the most exciting features regarding the X-Star Premium is the long flying time (25 minutes).

Throughout this period, you can monitor your surroundings through HD live streaming with the free app provided by Autel Robotics.

Feel free to download it on the App Store for Apple smartphones, or Google Play for Android devices.

However, please note that some users with Android 7 mentioned some compatibility problems.

PROS

Premium quality for a small price

LCD on the controller for monitoring range, altitude, tilt for the gimbal, battery life, etc.

Gorgeous aerial videography and photography results

80% 5-star reviews on Amazon

Plenty of accessories, including spare parts and propellers

CONS

Potential compatibility issues with some Android devices

User might experience some bugs. However, Autel Robotics has stellar customer service and are constantly working on improving their products.

5. DJI Inspire 1 Pro – Best Drone for Photography & Videography

Before we get started on how awesome the Inspire 1 Pro is, we want to make it clear that DJI is the industry leader in drone manufacturing. Their Inspire 1 Pro model is one of the best drones for photography and the best filming drone to boot. It is a state-of-the-art tool for getting some of the best drone footage you’ll ever lay your eyes on.

Now, brace yourselves, because the price tag is consistent with the quality.

It is, by far, the most expensive drone on our list, sold for around $4,500 new on Amazon.

Still, you can get one in mint condition for about $2,500.

Don’t be afraid of the price – this beauty will offer extreme performance and an exhilarating experience for pros who value quality over quantity.

Main Features

4k camera included

360-degree shooting with incredible stability

DJI Lightbridge provides live HD video streaming wirelessly

Resistance to altitude (flies up to 15,000 feet) and temperature (sub-zero)

Flying time ranges from 18 to 25 minutes

Design & Usability

This gem was designed to impress even the pickiest of UAV fliers.

It is undoubtedly a professional drone that can be used for jobs and other high-level projects, with a premium 4K camera and 3-axis gimbal incorporated in the design.

Needless to say that the overall design is incredibly sleek and chic, an advantage for professionals who value the product as a whole.

Both customers and authoritative voices in the industry applaud DJI for making some of the most intuitive best drones on the market.

Even though their models are highly technical, they can be easily used by any type of flier, even if they’re just starting out.

You can use both the remote control and the touch screen for operating the drone.

Quality & Performance

A quick YouTube search for footage instantly proves that the DJI Inspire 1 Pro is the best drone for video, with breathtaking images every time.

In addition to their recent sensor size upgrade, DJI has now made the Inspire 1 Pro with an interchangeable lens option.

This provides the WOW factor for professional photographers and cinematographers, with infinite possibilities for aerial shots.

Another feature that stood out for us was the new and improved VPS the Inspire 1 Pro comes with.

You enjoy more stability than ever, without the need for GPS for the process.

Moreover, from the remote controller, you can manage the aperture of the lens, focus, shutter speed, and ISO, all manually.

The benefits are truly limitless with the Inspire 1 Pro, possibly the best drone for photography on a professional level.

PROS

Top-of-the-line professional quality

Vivid HD for the best drone videos and photos

Reliable communication between the drone and remote control

Interchangeable lens (comes with 15mm f/1.7 lens)

Touch screen option for panning the view of the drone, in addition to the joysticks

CONS

Expensive product for some users

Potential malfunction mid-flight, as pointed out by an Amazon customer (isolated case)

Small issues like askew gimbal, but they were rapidly fixed by the manufacturer

4. DJI Phantom 3 Standard – Best Drone under 500 Dollars

Now that you know that DJI is one of the best drone companies of all, you might be wondering how you can grab one of their models without spending a fortune. Well, we’re more than happy to inform you that the DJI Phantom 3 Standard is the best buy drone on our list, which you can get in amazing condition for a great price on Amazon.

As if that wasn’t enough, this drone best buy is actually a bundle, with a multitude of accessories included in your package.

In addition to the DJI Phantom 3 Standard drone, you get no less than the following:

HD camera

32GB MicroSDHC

Card reader

Propeller with self-tightening function

Propeller guards

Cloth for cleaning

Main Features

7K high-quality camera for aerial stills and films

25 minute flying time

Plenty of flying modes, from Follow Me, to Waypoint and more

DJI Go app provides smooth live streaming

Bundle includes everything you need to start flying in an instant

Design & Usability

The Phantom 3 Standard is very well-designed and comes with an abundance of accessories that make it ready to fly.

The bundle product we linked above literally gives you everything you need to take it out of the box and start having fun.

The only potential design concern is that it has a plastic aspect and that the gimbal and camera are positioned very low.

Nevertheless, there haven’t been specific reports with damage caused by these factors.

Using the Phantom 3 Standard is a sheer joy for kids and adults all the same.

Even though it is packed with cool features that pros will adore, it’s easy enough that a 14-year-old can fly it effortlessly.

It shares the intuitive advantage that all DJI best drones have, making it another one of the best drones for beginners you can invest in.

Quality & Performance

Don’t let the price fool you; DJI has packed the Phantom 3 Standard with top qualitytools.

As one of the best drones with camera integration, it shoots in beautiful 2.7K, which is a major pro for a UAV in its price range.

Even though there were two or three complaints about the stabilizers or other parts, these customer concerns are very few compared to the benefits described.

The performance of the Phantom 3 Standard is more than satisfying for enthusiasts, with GPS assistance that will keep you on track.

You can download the DJI Go app for free on Google Play or the App Store for your Android and Apple devices.

With the app, you get a live view in spectacular HD on your smartphone or tablet, with all the monitoring features you’ll ever need.

3. Cheerwing Syma X5SW-V3 – Best Drone for Beginners

When you find out that the Cheerwing Syma X5SW-V3 is currently around $40 on Amazon, you’ll probably be wondering why it’s placed so high on our list. We’re well aware that not all users are pros; in fact, many are just getting started with the hobby. The X5SW-V3 is the best beginner drone on our list, for an abundance of reasons.

One of the benefits that make it crowned the best starter drone is that it weighs just 0.26 pounds, requiring no FAA registration.

It’s also the 3rd best-selling quadcopter on Amazon, with hundreds of reviews to attest to the positive user experience.

And, let’s be honest, the low price adds to its value.

Main Features

360 stunt feature (rolling, flips)

6-axis gyro system

165-foot remote control distance

Headless mode

iOs & Android support for the free SYMA FPV app

Design & Usability

This cute little quadcopter was designed with a 6-axis flight control system for nice stability for the price you pay.

The 2-joystick remote control that comes with the X5SW-V3 allows you to comfortably attach your smartphone and enjoy real-time video transmission.

Numerous users also praised this cheap drone for its durability, particularly for the low price.

The fact that it’s so easy to use makes it the best entry level drone by far.

It includes smart features for beginners, such as Headless mode, which helps you keep track of the head and tail.

Another cool perk is that the associated app is compatible with both iOS and Android operating systems.

Quality & Performance

Quality is highly debatable when you’re dealing with an affordable drone like the X5SW-V3.

No, you won’t be getting ultra HD streaming or techy features galore, but you will be enjoying outstanding value for the money you invest.

Let’s be honest; $50 is nothing for a drone, especially one that delivers pleasing quality for hobbyists.

Even though the battery time is more than limited (7 minutes at most), you can have fun with 360 degree rolling and other nifty stunts during this time.

It comes with an HD camera that does its job just fine, but don’t expect amazing shots with a 0.3 MP. In a nutshell, the X5SW-V3 is amazing for beginners and those who want to play with the best drones instead of using them professionally.

PROS

Ideal drone for beginners

Surprisingly durable for such a cheap model, with equally inexpensive replacement parts

Headless mode is highly enjoyable, provided you stay in range

Works even in slightly windy weather and low temperatures (during snowfall)

Smooth WiFi video transmission for the accompanying app

CONS

You get what you pay for – features are limited (poor range, low-quality camera, etc.)

Users often complain that the motors burn out. However, replacements can cost as little as $1.39 on Amazon.

Very limited flying time – from 6 to 7 minutes before requiring a recharge

2. DJI Phantom 4 – Best Drone with Camera

Take your aerial photography and videography game to a whole new level with the DJI Phantom 4. It is the best camera drone on our list, thanks to its jaw-dropping specs. You take brilliant pictures and remarkable videos, all in extreme high definition. It’s a definite favorite for those in the field of visuals, regardless if they specialize in stills or cinematography.

Currently, the Phantom 4 isn’t nearly as expensive as you would expect it to be.

It’s one of the best drones under 1000 dollars you can get on Amazon, which is excellent considering the features it has.

Main Features

4K Ultra HD at 30 fps filming

1080p at 120 fps for slow motion

4000 x 3000 px (12.0MP) photography

GPS technology provides taking off and landing automatically

Up to 45 mph flight speed

Design & Usability

From the moment you lay your eyes on the Phantom 4, you know you’re dealing with a top quality product.

It’s sleekly designed, in all white and with a remote control with 2 joysticks for easy operation.

The Phantom 4 was designed to be one of the most intelligent camera drones, specifically with the avid photographer or videographer in mind.

Needless to say that it’s very easy to use, especially thanks to the smooth stabilization offered in P mode.

In addition, the DJI Go app we spoke about when reviewing the Phantom 3 Standard is the same one used for the Phantom 4.

It makes it effortless to record aerial footage, but also to edit and even share your shots directly from the app.

Quality & Performance

DJI and quality have become synonymous in the drone industry.

The impressive photo and video specs we briefly presented in the features section allow you to appreciate this model as a reliable visual tool for awe-inspiring footage.

Aside from the quality of their products, DJI shines through excellent customer service that is always praised by their clients.

Another huge benefit is that you get extended flying time – up to 28 minutes.

1. DJI Mavic Pro – Best Drone of 2019

*Drumroll* And the moment we have all been waiting for, the #1 best drone on the market, king of all best drones is… the DJI Mavic Pro! As far as we’re concerned, this feature-packed beauty has every reason to be the best drone ever. For starters, it’s the #1 best-selling quadcopter on Amazon. It also has a humongous customer average rating, of 4.7 out of 5 stars, making it the top-rated drone on the market too.

On this site, it is currently about $1,250, but with loads of accessories included.

Before you fret about its 4-figure price tag, you should know that it’s a professional model and one of the best drones money can buy.

It may not fit into everybody’s budget, but those who want to get serious about their drone game should definitely consider the Mavic Pro.

Main Features

Smart features such as TapFly or ActiveTrack create memorable flying and shooting experiences every time

Genuine 4K imagery

VPS, GPS and GLONASS combo for extreme precision

Extended speed (up to 40 mph) and flight time (up to 27 minutes)

Mavic Pro Fly More Combo includes:

2 spare propellers

2 spare batteries

1 car charger

2 charging hubs

1 shoulder bag

1 battery-to-power-bank adapter

Design & Usability

DJI went above and beyond with the design of the Mavic Pro.

Even though it’s quite a small drone as is (12 inches all around), it can fold down to the size of “a bottle of water”, as the manufacturers advertise.

This is a significant quality for frequent travelers who can’t afford to have large equipment taking up space.

If you want to further boost the usability of your investment, we recommend getting the Fly More Combo described above.

Not only are you prepped for flight directly out of the box, but you also pay notably less than if you would have purchased the accessories separately.

As for general usability, just imagine that it will take you 2-3 minutes to get it stable and flying.

Quality & Performance

Don’t let the compact size of the Mavic Pro fool you.

In this case, less means more, and the small dimensions pack in astounding quality.

The recurring, number 1 advantage is the unparalleled stability of the Mavic Pro, which deserves a round of applause of its own.

The overwhelming amount of 5-star reviews(86%!) support the unrivaled quality of this professional drone.

There’s no doubt that the performance of the Mavic Pro is just as appealing as its overall quality.

Literally, no complaints can be found about the user experience, with an abundance of super cool features to play with.

Gorgeous images, incredibly smooth and fast flights, and long battery life all make every Mavic Pro experience magical.

PROS

Incredibly stable, providing the user with a smooth flying experience

The foldable feature allows for easy portability when traveling

Easily avoids obstacles, sensor redundancy reduces potential crashes

86% of reviews come with a clean, 5-star rating

Celebrated customer service from DJI

CONS

iOS devices tend to work better with the Phantom 4 than Android ones

Experienced users recommend purchasing additional accessories, such as a larger SD card or a landing pad

The PBR Editorial Team takes care that all the articles on the website are up to date and relevant to your interests. If any article you stumble upon seems outdated, leave us a comment and we’ll get to it! We’re already doing the best we can to keep everything nice and neat, but our schedule might have missed something so do let us know!

Carter

I also would not recommend the Parrot because of the fact that you really can’t use it for outdoors. And yep it disappears. That was my experience with it anyway. They say this drone is good for kids but how can that be if kids take it outside where they will likely never see it again?

Jerry Russell

Thanks for the feedback! Are you referring to the Parrot MiniDrone? It’s true that this drone doesn’t perform well outdoors and kids should use it inside, but still, it is small and compact, making it a cool toy, don’t you think?

Have a great day!

Heather Anton

I don’t like drones at all. They all fly away and can never be found again. I think they are a pain and nothing less than that. No matter the make of the drone the end result is always the same. They simply disappear for good.

The Right Knight

I have never used a drone, but from what I have read, they look like a pain to manage for the most part. Can someone tell me what is so interesting about using them? Because I personally fail to see the appeal.

Ashley Lindsey

Well, honestly, we were definitely hit by the drone bug!
We love drones because they’re a great gadget to play with when we have some free time, and they can help take amazing aerial photos and videos if you are into that kind of thing – and we totally are! Plus, they can perform very cool stunts when flying, if you have the chance to try one out please let us know how it went!

Brandon

Didn’t have a big budget but also wanted to surprise my son for his birthday so I got him a Parrot Airborne Cargo MiniDrone Travis (that’s a mouthful). He was very happy to get it as a gift and is now learning how to fly it. It seems durable (especially considering its price).